Mary Roberts CV
Creative writing and English graduate
Past Projects
Professional Writing Skills
Publication Project| Children's Book
During my third year, In the professional writing module, I was tasked with publishing a piece of work. I chose to do a children's book as it was something I had always wanted to do. I scanned illustrations into the computer and using Photoshop, I quickly learnt to remove the background and isolate images. Then using Microsoft word I typeset and produced Oliver Takes A Shower (see image). I also had to source a printer and decide on appropriate paper thickness and finishes that would be compatable with the product audience. Along side this I had to deliberate finances comparing it with cost of print and price to sell. I was very proud of the finished product.
Writing Adaptations.
Screenplay | Black Agnes.
I studied adaptation theory as a 15 credit module during my final year at DeMontfort University. During this time I was tasked with writing the initial part of a screenplay adaptation, up to and including an inciting incident. The adaptation could have been on any text, novel or poem.
I chose the Leicetershire legend of Black Annis. Instead of rewriting the legend as it stands, I decided to retrace its roots. After researching I came across three women the legend could have been based upon. One of which, and the one I chose to follow was the Dominican Nun Agnes Scott, who was known as being a hermit of the forest.
I took this character and placed her In the year 1455. I played heavily on the role of social status and patriarchy to be the cause of the Agnes Scott becoming Black Annis over time. However I also wrote her as being a herbalist and a witch in secret, leaving the story open to interpretation.
I very much enjoyed writing this piece and look forward to finishing it some day.
Text Technologies
During my second year of University I chose the module Text technologies. This module was without a doubt my favorite. I got to trace technological implements right from the invention of the quill (see figure 1), through to the printing press and finally to computer science of today.
Figure 1
Case Study | The Gospel Book
My first assignment allowed me to retrace and piece together a manuscript of two halves. I did this by comparing and contrasting natural age patterns such as woodworm, cup rings and watermarks. The conclusion was that pages of a less important manuscript were inserted into a more important one. (see figure 2)
Figure 2
The Printing Press | Setting type
The second part of the module gave me the opportunity to study and use a printing press. This included setting type (see figure 3), running a print and checking it, correcting mistakes before the final print run. I loved the intricacy of setting type and learning the techniques of transferring it from the composing stick (fig 3) to the chase (figure 4).
Figure 4
Figure 3
Computer science | HTML/XML
The final part of the module, which also lead into third year text tech was learning the basics of HTML coding. I tried my hand at HTML, XML and Java, all of which I used to create code for a basic website. Leading into third year text tech, I learnt how write and program an ALTAIR 8800 using ASCII. This was the most challenging and rewarding part of the module.